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The Judgement of Paris
A handsome prince happened upon them by chance,
Three mighty Goddesses reeling in a jealous dance.
Power, Pride, and Passion clashed in a manner most cruel,
To see who could enrapture the naïve young fool.
Discord was overcome with gleeful bliss,
Gladdened by a scream and scornful hiss.
For double-edged are Lust, Logic, and Love,
Their biting blades by Fortune kissed,
Able to sever the divine Heavens above.
The royal with ill-fate in hand,
Gave to Aphrodite his favor,
Granting her the Fruit of Man,
The golden vanity she savored.
In turn he was promised a flame,
The alluring envy of the Earth.
A blaze too prodigal to tame,
The sweet destroyer of all mirth.
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This article has 2 comments.
This poem is based on the myth, "The Judgement of Paris," in which a Trojan prince was required to choose the most worthy of three goddesses: Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. The prize for the fairest goddess was the Golden Apple, an essentially worthless trinket used by the goddess of discord, Eris, to exact her revenge on the Pantheon. Each goddess offered Paris a gift in exchange for the Golden Apple: control over all of Europe and Asia, wisdom, and the most beautiful woman in the world. He chose the latter offering, Aphrodite's promise. The woman was Helen of Sparta, later to become the infamous Helen of Troy. This exchange was said to be the catalyst of the Trojan War.